Thanks

I am so glad it is Thursday!  

Hopefully I can spend some time in my art room this weekend.  My DH has tomorrow off, so I may go to town and do some shopping while he

babysits Schmitzy!!!

I have a thank you card tonight for a friend that gave me a beautiful candle.  I hope to have lunch with her next week and give it to her in person.

I used a Sizzix embossing folder for the background, SU! dp, a digi image from Fred She Said, colored with Copics, accented with Liquid Applique and cut out with a nestie.  The heart is a Sizzix die and the sentiment is from PaperTrey.

I used the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Sisterhood of Crafters - hearts

Loves Rubberstamps - Have a heart

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - One for the Girls
The House that Stamps Built - Vibrant colors

Thanks for stopping by!  I need to go feed Schmitzy a late evening snack!

kathy b

You Make My World Happy

So glad it is Wednesday!

Schmitzy made it through his surgery yesterday, but I was so totally exhausted that I failed to post.  We both slept in today and I think we both feel better!

It is going to be a long haul regenerating skin where there is now only tissue (a large area, unfortunately), but we will keep with the treatments and hopefully everything will work out just fine.  One area was able to be stitched and he has a Penrose drain that I can remove in a week.  Stitches come out in 10-14 days. So for now, we just keep doing what we have been doing.  He is snoring at my feet as I type this...

Today's card uses the MFT sketch for last week.  I did not get it entered into the challenge (surprise!).  But I do like how it turned out.

I used DCWV Nursery dp (5 different patterns!).  I paper-pieced the PI image, colored the rest with Copics and cut it out with a Nestie.  I used an MFT fishtail die to cut out the sentiment, stamped with Versafine Black Onyx.  

I am entering the following challenges:

Delightful Sketches - Thinking of You

Stamptacular Sunday - Spots and Stripes

Guylou's Inimitability - I see Spots

Stampin' For The Weekend - Something Girlie

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

It's Your Big Day

Monday, Monday...

Tomorrow is Schmitzy's big day. 

He has surgery to remove his "shell", "shingle" or however you want to refer to removing a large chunk of dead skin.  The infection is under control and the skin is releasing itself from his body, so it is time to come off and help the healing to continue.  We are fortunate because some of his skin that they thought was dead is already regenerating and is looking good.  I won't gross you out with photos, but please continue to think positive thoughts for him because this reaction to Keflex was of the most severe variety and we still have a long way to go before he is healed with more opportunity for things to go awry.

 

Tonight I have a card for our Office Manager who is retiring at the end of February after 21 years.  The planning for her party has commenced, so I thought I'd get this done tonight while I was thinking about it.  She has a shelf full of cards I have given her.  She is one that appreciates the efforts that go into creative endeavors.

 

 

I used the sketch over at MFT Wednesday challenge.  The dp is Authentique Collection Carefree.  I used MFT flower and border dies, as well.  I added little silver metal balls to the border and flower center.  I also put a flower in the interior of the card.

 

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

 

Critter Sketch - metal

Crafting when we can - strawberries and cream

Dilly Beans - metal accents

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'll be back tomorrow with a Schmitzy update.

 

 

kathy b

 



Merci

Hello everyone,
While we had an absolutely gorgeous day here in Colorado (short sleeves weather) I know others across the country was having cold cold weather.  Oh well...I'm sure winter surely isn't over.

I have a quick card for you today.  I think it came out quite nicely...it wasn't one I was trying hard to do...just sort of came together.  It's for a woman who loves her bike...and gave us a free physical therapy session.  Well I still need to get ready for work so I'm cutting this short...hope you all have a great week..Schmitzy will be getting his surgery on Tuesday!  Margaret

Image: Stampin Bella Uptown Girls
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Embellishments Swarovski crystals, stickles

From my heart to yours

Happy Saturday everyone!
I'm back with a card that I've made for my younger daughter Claudia for Valentine's Day.  As you recall last week I posted Julia's card -- she's much more geometric.  Claudia is all about the image (in more ways than one!). haha.  She absolutely adores the little girls from Penny Black...so that's what she is getting.

Image: Penny Black

Other Stamps: Stampin Up (Cupid background and sentiment)

Heart punch: Martha Stewart

Dies: Spellbinders, MFT

Embellishments: Swarovski crystals, liquid pearls, stickes

Hope you enjoyed today's creation.  Now I need to wrap up Kathy's birthday presents so we can ship them soon...in the meantime, I'm entering this card into the "A gem of a challenge: Holidays".

Thanks for stopping by and I will be back, hopefully tomorrow.  ~Margaret

Birthday Wishes

Friday, Yea!!!

I have another birthday card to share tonight.  This one uses the sketch over at Come and Get it Challenges.

I used a digi from Fred She Said, the sponsor for this challenge.  The sentiment is stamped in Versafine Imperial Purple and is from Papertrey.  I cut out and popped up the center of the flower and added a rhinestone to the center.  The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn die using Wassau pearlescent paper with 2 tiny lavender pearls added.  It sits atop an MFT diecut.  The DP is DCWV.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Forever Friends - birthday

ABC Challenges - birthday

Use Your Stuff - birthday (really old DP - Nana's Nursery Baby Boy)

Schmitzy update:

Vet called today - surgery scheduled for Tuesday after which we will have a better idea about his chances for survival.  So far he is holding his own!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Wishing you a birthday...

Hi everyone!  It's amazing how much sleep can affect one's attitude...I actually got some last night.  But it appears I also took a walk while sleeping and left the sliding glass door to the backyard wide open in the middle of the night!  I remember nothing.  My husband was afraid someone might be in the house and was looking for his shotgun.  I can only imagine how he felt in that moment!  Hopefully there will be no more all-nighters with Schmitzy!

Today I have a girly birthday greeting using the sketch at Seize the Birthday.

The sentiment is finished on the inside:

I think this is a fun little stamp.  It is Ketto from Stamping Bella and the sentiment is also SB, but from a different line.

I used My Mind's Eye dp, coloring the BD girl with Copics and Spicas.  I added a rhinestone flourish and a Prima flower and used an MFT fishtail die to cut out the sentiment.  Nesties were used for the interior sentiment (front and inside are actually just one stamp that I broke up).

Schmitzy and I had a pretty good day.  I had to go into the office today and then stop by the hospital to visit a dear friend that gave birth to a baby girl yesterday.  There is something about babies that is so magical and they make you feel like all is right in the world.  Welcome, Olivia!  I love you already!

I am also entering the following challenges:

Forever Friends - birthdays

ABC Challenges - birthdays

Paper-Crafting Journey - for a girl

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Feel Better Soon

I'm on a roll.  I have another get well card tonight.

This one features a cute little nurse from There She Goes.

I paper-pieced her little outfit with Authentique dp.  I used a nestie to cut her out, Copics to color the parts not pieced, and used the sketch from There She Goes.  I added a little Swarovski crystal bling to set off the sentiment.

Schmitzy continues to have an infection, though it is better than it was.  He is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday.  We are getting more and more concerned about sepsis. The poor guy has been dealing with this drug reaction for a month now, with no end in sight.  I was up all night with him after they worked on him at the vet office yesterday.  I feel so awful that he is going through this.  He has had a good day today, and I am thankful for that.  I may not have an RN, but I sure feel like one right now dealing with drugs and syringes and dressings, etc.

I am also entering this in the following challenges:

Broken Box Stock - Get well

Word Art Wednesday - anything goes

Crafting by Design - Polka dots

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Get Well Soon

What a day!

I was so worried about Schmitzy today when I saw blood oozing out of his wound.  I called the vet's office to speak to the vet tech that worked with us on Saturday but she was off.  They offered me an appt. so I took it.  Of course, after I got there and the vet saw him, he said this was normal and that he had made more progress than he had expected since Saturday.  What a big relief!  We aren't out of the woods yet.  He will have surgery next Tuesday and again at a later date.  This wound is like treating a very bad burn.  He can still become septic, at which point his chances for survival drop significantly.  But for now, I am optimistic and hopeful that this guy is a survivor.  I just came home from agility with Geena Bea and he greeted me like he hadn't seen me in a week, even though I have to treat his wound 5 times a day.  What love, we should all be so forgiving.

So, today I have a Get Well Card.  

It's not for Schmitzy, but perhaps it should be!

The sketch is from Sketch Saturday, isn't it a great sketch?  The DP is Echo Park Springtime and the stamp is Sick Lily from Pink Cat Studio.  I paper-pieced everything except her face and feet!  I used Marvelous Squares from Spellbinders, which is a lovely die set.  The rick rack die is from Papertrey and I punched out the sick kitty, colored with Copics.  I stamped the sentiment with Memento.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Broken Box Stock - Get well

Totally Stampalicious - Paper Piecing

Tuesday Throwdown - Furry Friends

MarkerPop - pink

{Heart} you

I'm back everyone, probably the last time for a few days.  Hopefully I've given Kathy a nice break so maybe she will be back tomorrow.   The work grind starts for me as classes begin this week.

I am entering today's card for the One Stitch at a Time Challenge (#147: Love) .  This card will be for my older daughter.  The  paper is Doodlebug and the hearts are from Paper trey, sentiment from Stampin Up.  The edging is Martha Stewart, scalloped and regular circles are from Stampin Up,  and embossed flourish is from Cuddlebug.  The teeny silver butterfly is also a Martha Stewart punch.  I am working on another card for my younger daughter and I'll share that one with you later this week. :)  Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.  Just four more days til the weekend--and that means more ART. YEAH!  Margaret

Thanks a million

Happy Sunday!  I got a chance to head on into the art room--I'm having a streak of inspiration.  We had a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky.  With all our gloomy days (which is unusual for Colorado), this was a welcome break.  I haven't heard an update about Kathy's Schmitzy, but I know they're all really stressed taking care of him 24/7.  SO please continue keeping them all in your thoughts.

Today's card was inspired by the PanPastel UK Challenge - Nature  The background stamp (of a sillhouette of trees)  is from Impression Obsession.  Although it is hard to see, I had inked the sky peeking through in a variety of colors from blue to orange to yellow.  The Butterfly is an old old stamp from All night Media.  I had stamped it twice so that it would have more 3D.  I also loaded it with lots of stickles, Swarovski crystals and liquid pearls.  (below the main card I've attached a closeup)  The sentiment is from Stampin Up, underneath studded with Swarovski crystals in the scallops (created with SU edging).

I really enjoyed making this card...but I must say, the background of trees doesn't work well embossing.  I tried..made a mess and it didn't look right.  It came out great using the black Versamark.

Thanks so much for stopping by...I have another card to post tomorrow.  A Valentine's Day card.  Til then...Margaret

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello everyone,
Today I have a special card for a special someone for Valentine's Day (if there's any question, that would be Kathy).  My Valentine's these days consists of friends and children. LOL.  Although the card looks great in person, the photo doesn't do it justice unfortunately.  I think I figured out why...Daylight really makes the cards look best.  All the lights in my house are flourescent and they really don't cast a very good light on the cards.

Anyway...this card was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest made by Kelly Rasmussen with details below:
Stamps:
Hearts: Papertrey
Mandala: Just Rite
Butterfly: Stampin Up
Sentiment: Stampin Up
Flourish: Autumn Leaves
Edging: Martha Stewart
Embellishments: Swarovski Crystals
I hope you enjoyed!  I had a great time making it...My mojo is BACK!  Thanks for stopping by.  Margaret
PS...Please keep Kathy and her husband in your thoughts.  Schmitzy took a turn for the worse.  He will be needing surgery to help his skin heal.

Thanks and more thanks

Hello everyone
Well Kathy is really not feeling well since she hurt herself and I'm hosting a party for my daughter so I'm needing to post something I already have.  And that would be a couple of cards that Claudia made recently.  They are actually quite good and inspiring.  I just love how her art is blossoming.

For the first card,  the DP is by Jillibean and  the stamp is just the good ol' Michael's stamp from the dollar bin.  She cut the semi circle using Spellbinders. The thick stuff you see is stickles and the puffy stuff (I forget what it is called--you need to heat it up for it to puff).  I think she did a great job on this!

The second card has a Magnolia chair and girl, with a Stampin Up sentiment cut out using Spellbinders.  She outlined the sentiment in Liquid Pearls and put loads of glitter all over the girl.  She is really putting her Christmas presents to good use!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to have something for you this weekend.  Margaret

Never Stop Sparkling

What a week!

Schmitzy is healing, but his entire side feels like leather.  My DH describes it as having a shingle (as in roofing) attached to his side and it is beginning to pull away from the decking.  I managed to break my 2nd toe yesterday and got a migraine on top of that.  Today was  back to "normal" and I went to work, but forgot my phone.  I knew I should have gone back for it because one of the women that works with me is very pregnant and I just knew something would happen because I left it home.  And it did - she was sent to L&D after her doctor's appointment, but ended up going back home.  So baby Sofia is not quite ready to make an appearance yet!

I have a card I made a few days ago to share tonight.   

This is a Stamping Bella image colored with Copics & Spicas.  I sprinkled Swarovski crystals on her accessories as well as the Memory Box die cut.  I used the sketch at Sketch Saturday, but too late to enter it in the challenge.

I paper-pieced her dress and scarf using My Mind's Eye dp.  Ribbon is from Michaels.  I punched the sentiment with an SU! punch and the orange oval with an EK punch.

I am entering the following challenges:

Scrap It Girl - bling, glitter, shine and sparkles

Use it Tuesday - Make it Sparkle (old rhinestone stash, old DP, old ribbon)

Charisma Cardz - at least 2 punches

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope to get back in my art room tomorrow or Saturday.

kathy b

Missing you

Hello everyone,
I am sharing a card today that I felt inspired to do.  Don't even know what got over me...but I was inspired to use stamps I haven't used before.

So today's card has all Jillibean Soup patterned paper, and ribbon I bought in Hobby Lobby.  The large stamp is from Art Warehouse.   I think Kathy gave me this a few years back.  As has become normal now, I face one type of fiasco or another when I make a card.  Today's fiasco included ripping the acrylic stamp as I was trying to get it off the plastic.  I have never done that before!  The other two smaller flowers are Stampin Up.  EVerything was propped up with foam tape to give dimension.  The die cut is Memory Box and I believe the sentiment is too, but I can't quite remember at the moment.

Well, it is freezing so much here and regularly snowing on and off that I have not taken Daisy for a walk today.  I went out yesterday and could only do it for 10 minutes because the air was so cold it hurt my lungs!  I have never had that experience.  Luckily we should be getting warmer weather over the next couple of days.  Stay warm everyone, and thanks for stopping by.  Margaret

 

Wintery Wishes

Monday, Monday!

We got some sleet today, not much, but it stayed pretty cold all day.  We're expecting more winter weather this week.  Hopefully we won't lose power again!

Today I have a winter card based on the sketch at MFT.

DP is Authentique Journey.  I used a Cheery Lynn die, stamping the image in the center.  Then I paper-pieced and colored with Copics.  I added the sentiment, punched out with an SU! punch.  The CL diecut is popped up with 3M foam tape.

I am entering the following challenges:

Squigglefly - I've got the winter blues

Broken Box Stock - Winter/Snowflakes

Stempelsonne - winter sports

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Baby It's Cold Outside

We're cold, but not near as cold as Margaret, which was -8 degrees last night!    We just got 4 inches of rain with more on the way and perhaps more snow and ice.  Fun!

SO to celebrate this winter weather, my card features 2 girls (which remind me of Margaret's Claudia and Julia).

DP is from My Mind's Eye, ribbon is from Michaels, sentiment is MFT and it is cut out with a Sizzix die.  I colored the image with COpics and Spicas.  I used the sketch over at Tuesday Morning Sketches, but am too late to enter that challenge.

I am entering the following challenges:

Broken Box Stock - Winter/Snowflakes

Dilly Beans - Winter Fun

Aud Sentiments - WInter WOnders

Schmitzy seems to be making some improvements, YEA!  We're not out of the woods, yet, but he is definitely better today!

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Celebrate with Style

Happy Saturday everyone!
Although it is only 18 degrees outside and we are expecting -8 tonight, it actually isn't too bad outside in the sun.  I love that about Colorado!  The only thing missing is Kathy... :(

But thinking of Kathy and missing her, while reading her posts, inspired me to stamp today after a long slump of lack of creativity.  Today's card will be on its way to Kathy for her birthday which is in a couple of weeks.

The image is one of my favorite lines, Stampin Bella's Uptown Girls.  The purple is one of Kathy's favorite colors.  Birthday present and sentiment is  Unity.   The patterned paper is Jillibean soup.  There's alot going on otherwise.  Spellbinder dies cuts, including the sun, Martha stewart butterflies and top edging, bottom edging is EK Success, little heart on clouds is Family Treasures and clouds is MFT.  There are also some Swarovski Crystals and LOTS of stickles...  The only OOPS I made was stamping the sentiment crooked...but it's too late when you do it once everything is glued down so it needs to stay.   I tried to "Mask" it by putting down the present but I don't think it did the trick.  Oh well, it's starting to become a running joke between us that her birthday cards always get messed up in some way because I try too hard to make it perfect.  LOL

I hope you enjoyed and were inspired...Thanks for stopping by.  Margaret

Believe

My card today uses the Believe stamp set which is in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness from Verve. 

Once again, I am making a card based on thoughts of Schmitzy.

I believe he will heal.  I believe he will live.

I believe he will continue to be my DH's best buddy.

  

I stamped the image with Memento Rich Cocoa then colored it with 4 shades of pink Copics.  I used my NEW MFT dies for the fishtails, cs is from my stash.  I used a punch for the mini flowers.  Quick and simple!

Schmitzy is a little improved in one area and has developed a new eruption in yet another.  Reading vet blogs about this condition (allergic reaction to an antibiotic) are quite fascinating.  This is a very rare occurence and our poor baby had the misfortune of getting the antibiotic during his exploratory surgery.  The really good news is that he doesn't vomit anymore.

I used the sketch from CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge #7.

I am also entering the following challenge:

Quirky Crafts - pink and something new (MFT dies)

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Just Sittin' Here Thinking of You

I'm thinking about my sweet little Schmitzy tonight.  His poor little body is attacking itself.  Back to the vet tomorrow...

So in order to lift my spirits, my DH sent me to "my room" to create.  It was a smart move on his part, as it has made me feel a little better and the creative slump I have been in now has a dent in it.

I used a Cheery Lynn die.  First I cut it out and had so many little pieces left that it dawned on me that someone suggested using wax paper between.  I tried that and it is amazing!  I had to poke about 3 pieces out!!!  The sketch comes from The House that Stamps Built.  I stamped the Memory Box image in the center of the die cut using Memento Rich Cocoa.  I debated about coloring the birds, played with an image on scrap, but decided I like the clean image best.  All cs came from my scrap bin.  I used an A Muse sentiment punched out with an SU! punch.  The chocolate ribbon is also from SU!  Rhinestones also come from stash.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Creative Moments - monochrome

The Perfect Sentiment - winter

The Ribbon Carousel- Winter Spirit

Thanks for stopping by and please keep Schmitzy in your prayers.

kathy b

You are so special

Happy Hump Day!

I have a card for celebrating one of the special people in life, one you are blessed to know.

I made this card using white and pink cs and glittery silver paper.  The images/sentiment are stamped with Encore silver, cut out with punches and popped up with 3M tape.  Two flourishes finish it off.

I am entering the following challenges:

The Pink Elephant - celebrate

Word Art Wednesday - heart/anything goes

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Lucky Girl

Well it looks like the best Margaret and I can do right now is every other day! I am going to try to get back into the swing of things.  

Schmitzy has had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics for his surgery and now he has a huge sore on his poor little body that kept growing even after he got a steroid shot.  He is on a different antibiotic and I have to doctor the area several times a day.  I have to watch him to make sure he doesn't disturb the area.  Not too conducive to being creative!

Tonight I have a card I made for the MFT Wednesday challenge.

I used Lily Pad dp (4 different patterns!) and DCWV cs.  The die and stamp are from MFT.   I stamped the sentiment with Black Onyx Versafine.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Use your Stuff - Feature a circle

Quirky Crafts - Something new with pink (new stamp & die)

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Daisy love

Hi Everyone,
Kathy and I are both in a bit of a slump so sorry for not posting yesterday.  However, today I'm back with a card that Kathy will get -- a thank you from my dog Daisy.  She got a delicious little treat for Christmas and so she wanted to express her thanks.  I had recently purchased this stamp "Daisy love" from Impression Obsession--to honor Daisy!  And the image is one I got from Kathy years ago of a Great Pyrenees, who happens to look just like Daisy!
The stamps of the hearts and sentiment die cuts are Stampin up.  The banner is MFT.  Hope you enjoy, thanks for stopping by, and don't get too gloomy this week as we all start work and are back to the good ol' grind.  I'll try not to...(but it will be hard)  Margaret

Below is a card made by Claudia...each and every star has been glittered up with Stickles!  The funniest thing of all about this card is that it really portrays Claudia's humor.  Although it says Congratulations on the front...it's really a Thank you Card to Kathy for outdoing herself on our Christmas cards this year.  This kid is such a hoot!  And she's only 11.  Both girls love doing art, but unfortunately I'm losing my older one to aluminum can jewelry which was inspired by an art teacher this semester...Claudia, on the other hand, just keeps getting better and better and more into cardmaking.  I love that we share this together.

Thank You

Happy Weekend one and all!

I have a thank you card tonight that is quick and easy.  We all need these after the holidays to thank those that from whom we received gifts.

I used the sketch from Fetch a Sketch.

I used a shiny Wausau specialty paper, embossed with a Sizzix folder and attached to a card base.  The strip is a leftover glitter scrap from DCWV.  I punched out the circle and scallop.  The sentiment is from Cornish Heritage Farms.  Easy peasy!

I am also entering the following challenges:

CAS-ual Fridays - Thank you

Moving Along with the TImes - Thank you

Creative Moments - Embossing

Thanks for stopping by! Margaret says she'll be back tomorrow!

kathy b

You mean the world to me

Hello everyone!

I have been missing in action - between our record snow, power loss, Schmitzy's surgery, buying a new car (yes, I bought a new car for the first time in over 8 years!), cleaning/packing up after the holidays and getting back to work, I've had a hard time staying awake long enough to even get into my room!  And tonight I am sharing a card I made last week while Margaret was busy posting cards for you!

This is an adorable image from Mo Manning.  I colored her with Copics, added swarovski crystals to her earrings, used Liquid Pearls Silver on her pearl necklaces, ribbon from Michaels, Wausau silver paper and DCWV pink cs.  I used Nesties for the squares and the sentiment from AMUSE is stamped with Versafine Black Onyx.

This sketch is #119 from The Sweet Stop.  I am also entering the following challenges:

By the Cute and Girly - Cute & Girly

Oozak - Anything Goes + pink + bling

Mo's Digital Challenge - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

A star is born

Happy New Year Everyone!
I was inspired today...since I'm late for a birthday card (deadlines seem to get creative juices flowing for me).  My godson's birthday is later this week and I need to get his present out by tomorrow morning.  He is very sweet and he has created a hanging collection of my cards that I send him for his birthday.  So, this week I've created a rather different kind of card...a more wintery theme, compared to the mermaids and soccer playing boys I've sent in the past.

Today's card was inspired from Pinterest.  I used an Impression Obsession stamp and sentiment "A star is Born" and Stampin Up "Happy Birthday"  I used an SU die cut to cut out the window frame and Memory box trees.  All the snowflakes are randomly cut from SU, EK success and some older punches from my scrapbooking days (Family treasures), which I layered upon each other.  The patterened paper behind the snowmen are Me and My Big Ideas.  The actual scene is a window scene, though it's hard to see from the card but you can sort of make it out because one of the trees you can see is "behind" the other.  I hope he enjoys...I even made "snow" with flower soft and glitter!  Ugh...tomorrow I need to start getting some work done, just as my creativity started getting a boost...really enjoyed my break getting some much needed rest.  Wish it was longer.

I hope you enjoy, and once again, HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Margaret